City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL October 2, 2023 REGULAR MEETING (https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLafayetteIN/live The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session Monday, October 2, 2023, at 6:00 pm. In the Common Council Chamber at 20. N 6th Street. President Ahlersmeyer called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the flag of our Country. Councilmember Hession Weiss introduced Jaylen Woodson and Lynn Hastings, delegates to the State Boys and Girls Convention to lead the Pledge. Mayor Roswarski presented the delegates with gifts of appreciation Present: Klinker, Nargi, Snyder, Reynolds, Hession Weiss, Brown, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Ahlersmeyer. City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Jacque Chosnek were present. Councilmember Reynolds moved to approve the minutes of the September 5, 2023, meeting. Councilmember Brown seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. There were no Disposal of Claims, Petitions or Communications: The Clerk stated the following reports are available in the City Clerk’s Office: Renew Department Monthly-July Water Works Department Monthly-July Fleet Maintenance Department Monthly-July Ordinances for Second Reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-33 (An Ordinance Concerning the Construction of Additions and Improvements to the Waterworks of the City of Lafayette, Indiana, and the Issuance of Revenue Bonds) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Snyder moved for passage; Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney noted this ordinance will facilitate a $400,000.00 grant from the Indiana Finance Authority city will use to complete investigations of lead service lines in our community. Ms. Chosnek noted the grant is structured as a bond, and as a forgivable loan. IFA will forgive on December 31, 2024. Ordinance 2023-33 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-35 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, to Rezone Certain Real Estate from NB to GB-1827 Schuyler Avenue, Gaeta Rentals, Petitioner) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage, Councilmember Brown seconded. John Schrader, attorney for the petitioner noted the petitioner is willing to add a commitment to the property that will limit use to automotive services in general business and anything allowed in a neighborhood business. Mr. Schrader noted the commitment stays with the property if sold. Council discussion ensued. Laura Bartrom, 1937 Maple St. representing several members of the St. Lawrence/McAllister Neighborhood spoke in opposition of the ordinance. Joshua Rodriguez, 1914 Maple St. spoke in support of the ordinance and supporting small businesses. Ordinance 2023-35 passed 5-3 on a roll call vote as listed. Ayes: Snyder, Hession Weiss, Brown, Weast-Williamson, Downing Nays: Klinker, Nargi, Reynolds The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-37 (An Ordinance Amending Subsection 302.10 of the Lafayette Municipal Code Section 13.03.010 Removal of Graffiti.) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilmember Downing seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City attorney spoke regarding the changes to the ordinance that will transfer the main responsibility for graffiti to the Engineering/Code Enforcement Department. The Police Department will still oversee tagging and vandalism. Ordinance 2023-37 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-38 (An Ordinance Amending Fees that the City of Lafayette May Charge for Computer Reports, Accident Reports, VIN Checks, Law Enforcement Recording and Other Miscellaneous Copies) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage; Councilmember Nargi seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney spoke regarding the changes. Ms. Chosnek noted the main change involved police camera footage pricing. Ordinance 2023-38 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-39 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2020-11 Establishing A Local Centennial South/820 Ferry St. Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Snyder moved for passage. Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Dennis Carson, Economic Development Director spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-39 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-40 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2020-11 Establishing A Local Jefferson/413 N, 11th Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage, Councilmember Brown seconded. Dennis Carson, Economic Development Director spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-40 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-41 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2020-11 Establishing A Local Perrin South/221 Perrin Ave. Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on second and final first reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilmember Downing seconded. Dennis Carson, Economic Development Director spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-41 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-42 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2020-11 Establishing A Local Centennial 1008 Hartford St. Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage; Councilmember Nargi seconded. Dennis Carson, Economic Development Director spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-42 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-43 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2020-11 Establishing A Local Lincoln/120 Tippecanoe St. Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Snyder moved for passage, Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Dennis Carson, Economic Development Director spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-43 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-44 (2024 GLPTC Budget, An Ordinance Appropriating Money for the Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation as Required Pursuant to Indiana Code 6-J1.1-17-20) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage. Councilmember Brown seconded. Joanne Zhang, CFO CityBus spoke regarding the GLPTC budget with the focus for 2024 being on revenue including a 13% increase Ordinance 2023-44 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-45 (2024 Budget Ordinance, An Ordinance Appropriating Money for the Purpose of Defraying the Expenses of Several Departments of the City Government of the City of Lafayette, Indiana for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2024, and Ending December 31, 2024, Including the Outstanding Claims and Obligations and Fixing a Time When the Same Shall Take Effect) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage. Councilmember Downing seconded. Mayor Roswarski thanked Jeremy Diehl, Controller, Jenna Karle, Deputy Controller, and the entire Controller’s Office for their hard work on the 2024 budget. Mayor Roswarski gave a detailed report on the budget process and how the final numbers are calculated. The budget for the year 2024 is ($89,230,891.00) eighty- nine million, two hundred thousand, eight hundred and ninety-one dollars. the mayor noted 71% of the budget is for personnel costs. Ordinance 2023-45 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-46 (An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Lafayette, Indiana for the Year 2024, Excluding the Sworn Protective Occupation and Law Enforcement Members of the Police and Fire Departments) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Mayor Roswarski noted the raise this year will be 5% and introduced Amber Schaefer Human Resources Director who gave a short presentation on the process the HR department uses to determine employee salaries; position changes, pay increases and assist departments with their budget needs for staffing. Mayor Roswarski added there will be minimal increase in the insurance costs and the City will have a health clinic for employees and families that will be free of charge for fulltime employees and their families. Ordinance 2023-46 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Perry Barbee, 3700 Redbud spoke in support of the salary increase for employees. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-47 (An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Sworn Protective Occupation and Law Enforcement (POLE) Members of the Police and Fire Departments of the City of Lafayette, Indiana, for the Year 2024) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Snyder moved for passage. Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Mayor Roswarski noted for 2024 the Police and Fire Department will be receiving an 8% raise. The mayor noted the increase is necessary to assist with recruiting. Ordinance 2023-47 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-48 (An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Elected Officials of the City of Lafayette, Indiana for the Year 2024) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage. Councilmember Brown seconded. Ordinance 2023-48 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Mayor Roswarski spoke regarding the changes for 2024 that will include an exec II position for the City Clerk and an 8% salary increase for the Mayor. Ordinance 2023-48 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-49 (An Ordinance for Additional Appropriation in the General Fund (Fund#1010) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilmember Downing seconded. Jeremy Diehl, Controller, spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-49 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved to set a Public Hearing on November 6, 2023 @ 6:01pm for Ordinance 2023-49. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-50 (An Ordinance Amending Certain Sections Within Title 10 – Animals Including Amending Section 10.03.050 Concerning Animal Establishments and Adding New Section 10.03.060 Concerning Commercial Sales of Dogs and Cats) by title only on first reading. President Ahlersmeyer noted the petitioner requested this ordinance be tabled. Councilmember Snyder move to table ordinance 2023-50, Councilman Reynolds seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-51 (An Ordinance to Amend The Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana to Rezone Certain Real Estate From R1U to R2U-2101 Monon Avenue-Aaron Walker, Petitioner) by title only on first and final reading. Brad Neely, Attorney for the petitioner spoke regarding for this ordinance. Ordinance 2023-51 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. Councilmember Reynolds was excused from the meeting at 7:30 PM The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-52 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, to Rezone Certain Real Estate from R2U to PDRS-KBAY East Group, LLC, (Parkside Flats PD)) Chris Shelmon, Attorney for the petitioners spoke regarding the planned development. Ordinance passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. Dan Bullock, 12 N 28th St spoke in opposition of the project. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-53 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe, Indiana to Rezone Certain Real Estate from R1 to I3-Crossrods Engineers, PC) by title only on first reading. President Ahlersmeyer noted the petitioner requested this ordinance be tabled. Councilmember Snyder move to table ordinance 2023-53, Councilman Hession Weiss seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Resolutions: The Clerk read Resolution 2023-24 (A Resolution Approving the Deduction for Tax Abatement In An Economic Revitalization Area (ERA) Rea Magnet Wire Company, Inc -Personal Property. On first and final reading. Councilmember Brown moved for passage. Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. Mayor Roswarski spoke in support of this resolution. David Warthan, Vice President of Operations gave a brief explanation of planned expansion and equipment being purchased for a new project. Resolution 2023-24 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2023-25 (A Resolution Approving A Deduction For Tax Abatement in an Economic Revitalization Area (ERA) Real Estate-Rea Magnet Wire Company, Inc) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Downing moved for passage. Councilmember Klinker seconded. Mayor Roswarski spoke in support of this resolution. Resolution 2023-25 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2023-26 (A Resolution of the Lafayette Common Council Approving the City of Lafayette Vision and Mission Statement) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Nargi moved for passage. Councilmember Snyder seconded. David Huhnke, Director of Communications and Marketing explained the process used to develop the City Vision and Mission Statement. Resolution 2023-26 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. No Reports of Standing Committees. No Reports of Special Committees. No Report by the Mayor. No Miscellaneous or New Business: Reports by the Council: President Ahlersmeyer reminded everyone of the Annual Lafayette Fire Prevention Show held at Sunnyside Intermediate School. No Public Comment. Councilmember Klinker move to adjourn. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM. Minutes prepared by Cindy Murray, City Clerk Complete audio of meeting available in the City Clerk’s office or at www.lafayette.in.gov